Systems and methods for cutting label material

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an apparatus and method for cutting individual label strips from a roll of label web utilizing a cutter assembly. A label cutter comprises a cutter assembly for continuously and independently controlling the rotational speeds of a rotating cutter shaft, a stationary shaft, and a label feed roller is provided. The length of the label strip is controlled by the distinct speed of rotation of a stationary knife, the stationary knife is rotatably coupled to the stationary shaft. At least one cutter blade is operatively associated to the rotating cutter shaft for cutting the label web. The stationary knife rotates with a speed of rotation different from the speed of rotation of the cutter blade to produce longer or shorter label length strips. The frequency at which the cutter blade meets the stationary knife is inversely related to the length of the label strip that is produced during cut off.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Technical Field of the Disclosure

This invention relates to label machines, and more particularly to animproved and adjustable mechanism for accurately cutting label stripsinto labels of varying lengths.

Description of the Related Art

A label is a strip of material attached to an object that is marked withinformation relevant to and for differentiating an object. The mostcommon form of label is that of a flexible material such as paper orimprintable plastic film that is coated on a first side with an adhesivebacking material and on a second side bears indicia relating to theobject. Labeling systems are used in a wide variety of manufacturingoperations to apply labels on a product, and more specifically, labelingmachines are used to apply the label to a container for identificationand/or aesthetic reasons. A labeling machine can rapidly change the sizeof labels cut from a web of labels to match containers of varyingdiameters, which are then fed onto containers moving along a conveyor.Roll fed labeling is recognized to be more economical labeling means,but the complexity of the labeling machine is increased due to the needto control the feed and cutting of the label stock. The complexity ofthe labeling procedure has also increased as new labeling materials aredeveloped.

There is a growing demand for improved label cutting mechanisms.Different methods and systems are developed in the art to labelproducts. In some conventional systems, labels may be die-cut in apreliminary stage long before a carton application or other use stage.For this, endless rolls comprising labels are provided, and theseendless rolls are drawn onto a counter-cutting roller. It is to beunderstood that endless rolls are not truly endless, but instead theterm is used to indicate many hundreds or thousands or more labels on aroll. These “endless” labels are then cut into individual labels andglued onto the containers. In order to cut these label strips,counter-cutting rollers have counter-cutting channels which in turncooperate with blades, wherein these blades are arranged on a furthercutting rotor.

Another conventional approach that suggests a labeling machine forlabeling containers may include at least one label roll, a label feeder,a cutting device, a gripper cylinder, and at least one gluing mechanism.The cutting device is constituted by a rotating vacuum roll, a cutterand a rotating parting element, the parting element having at least oneparting tool on its circumference. The rotating vacuum roller comprisesfour counter elements, the four counter elements are so arranged thatthree counter elements are mounted on the circumference of the rotatingvacuum roller with a respective spacing of 120°, and the fourth counterelement has a spacing of 180° from one of the three counter elements,and wherein the label lengths correspond to one times the circumference,two thirds of the circumference, one half of the circumference, or onethird of the circumference of the vacuum roller. Hence, the longestlabel that could be feed without losing tension in the web between thecutter and the label feed roller is determined by the circumference ofthe cutter.

Another conventional approach disclosed is a labeling machine having afeed mechanism to feed a strip of labels along a predetermined labelpath and into engagement with a label carrier, and a cutter assemblylocated in the path for severing labels from the strip. Thisconventional apparatus further comprises a knife arrangement in which astationary knife is inclined to the axis of rotation of a rotating knifeto achieve a progressive cut across the width of the label. Thisarrangement achieves complete cutting of the label without prematurewear of the cutting edge. With this arrangement the label is engaged bya drum prior to severing and a tension induced in the label by rotatingthe drum at a greater peripheral speed than the feed rate of the labelroll. However, this method does not depend on the number of rotations ofthe cutter before cutting the label. Moreover, the stationary knife isnot equipped to cuts on demand and does not ensure desired length oflabel strips.

Another approach provides a labeling machine that can rapidly change thesize of labels cut from a web of labels to match different diametercontainers which are then fed onto containers moving along a conveyor. Acutter roll frame comprises a vertically oriented cutter roll having adiameter selected for a predetermined sized label for a predeterminedsized container and having upper and lower ends and wherein the centralaxis of the cutter roll is spaced farther from the drive for anysuccessive larger diameter cutter roll that is selected when apredetermined sized label is to be cut. With this method, smaller labelsrequire the use of a smaller cutter roll spaced closer to the labeldrum, while a larger label requires the use of a large diameter cutterroll spaced farther from the label drum. The cutter assembly is designedto allow rapid change of cutter roll diameter to change the size oflabels cut from a web of labels to match different diameter containers.Here, the size of the cutter defines the label length. Therefore, thecutter diameter needs to be varying in order to feed different labellengths. This presents the compound problem of having to design and payfor a different cutter roller for each and every label length as well asrequiring mechanical disassembly and reassembly of the cutter every timethe label size is changed. Further, based on the label pitch (number oflabels per unit distance of the label stock), the diameter of the cutterroller must be changed. There are physical limitations to the maximumand minimum diameters of the cutter roller. Typically, a change incutters can take many hours. Furthermore, when the diameter of thecutter roller is changed, the linear velocity changes proportionally.

Yet another conventional approach describes a label cutter mechanismthat is designed to operate at a constant speed to cut a particular sizeof label. The label cut-off is optimized when the label speed andsurface speed of the label cutter are matched during the cutting step.The surface speed of the vacuum drum is greater than the average speedof the label web because individual labels are spaced from each other onthe vacuum drum. Ideally, label segments should move at the same speedas the vacuum drum at the time of label transfer. With such systems,system optimization is not possible because the optimum speed of thecutter during label transfer is different than the optimum speed forlabel cut-off. Once labels have been severed by the cutter, they areindividually handled and supported by a vacuum drum. The vacuum drum ispreferably rotated at a higher rate of surface speed than the surfacespeed of the cutter. Hence, this method does not employ adjusting therelative speed of the cutter and knife in order to obtain the labels ondemand. If the relative speed of the cutter is not properly set, thevacuum drum can snap the label segment from the cutter, causing thelabel to shift. If the label shifts during transfer, it can result inmisalignment of the label on the container.

Therefore, there is a need for a system and method to feed differentlabel lengths without changing cutter diameters. Such a system wouldprovide label length as required and should depend upon the number ofrotations of the cutter. Such a system would include a stationary knife,which cuts on demand only. Such a needed system would further include alabel cutter having servomotors that are independently controllingoperative elements of a labeling machine. Such a system would providethe relative speed of the primary blade which is directly related to thesecondary blade. Moreover, such a system would control the amount oflabel fed by the feed roller to the cutter and thereby desired labellength would be cut. Such a system would adjust the relative speed ofthe cutter and knife in order to provide varying label lengths. Finally,this needed system would feed the longest label without dependency onthe circumference of the cutter and the surface speed of the cutter. Thepresent embodiment overcomes shortcomings in this area by accomplishingthese critical objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimizeother limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of thespecification, the present invention provides an apparatus and methodfor cutting individual label strips from a roll of label web utilizing acutter assembly. The cutter assembly comprises a label feed roller, arotating cutter shaft and a stationary shaft. The cutter assembly ismounted on a casted cutter frame and the label feed roller is rotatablewithin the frame. The rotating cutter shaft has a generally cylindricalshape and a first axis about which it rotates. The label feed roller ispositioned adjacent the rotating cutter shaft and includes a label guidebetween which the label web is fed. The label web is further fed aroundthe rotating cutter shaft which is guided by the label feed roller. Atleast one cutter blade extends in a generally vertical relationship fromthe periphery of the rotating cutter shaft. The at least one cutterblade co-operates with a fixed blade holder and may be operativelyassociated to the rotating cutter shaft for cutting the label web. Theat least one cutter blade includes an elongated, linear knife wedgeformed thereon. A stationary knife protrudes from and is rotatable withthe stationary shaft. The stationary shaft has a second axis about whichit rotates. A knife clamp is mounted on the stationary shaft forrotatably engaging the stationary knife. The label cutter apparatusfurther comprises a first servomotor that rotatably drives the rotatingcutter shaft and a second servomotor that rotatably drives thestationary shaft. The length of the label strip is controlled by thedistinct speed of rotation of the stationary knife. The stationary shaftrotates with the speed of rotation less than the speed of rotation ofthe rotating cutter shaft about its second vertical axis to produce alabel length strip of a greater length.

The present invention also provides the method for cutting individuallabel strips from the roll of label web utilizing the label cutterapparatus. The method initiates by providing the label cutter assembly,wherein the label cutter assembly comprises the rotating cutter shaft,the stationary shaft, and the label feed roller. Initially, rotating thecutter shaft on the first axis at a generally constant rotational speed,then conveying the label web at a label feed rate to the rotating cuttershaft by means of the label feed roller. Next, allowing the label web torotatably attach to the rotating cutter shaft. Further, enabling thecutter blade to rotate with the rotating cutter shaft. Then, rotatingthe stationary shaft on the second axis under distinct speed control andallowing the stationary knife to rotate along with the stationary shaft.Furthermore, the rotational speed of the rotating cutter shaft as wellas the stationary shaft is varied during distinct intervals of a labelcutting cycle. The label web is then cut by the stationary knife whenthe stationary knife has a lower rotational speed during the interval inthe cycle. And finally transferring the label strip after cutting fromthe cutter assembly. The method further comprising establishing thelabel cutting cycle as a 360° rotation of the rotating cutter shaft at asingle rotation of the stationary shaft, the label web is cut at aminimum label length. The length of label strip is inversely related tothe frequency at which the cutter blade meets the stationary knife.

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for operating a label cutter which cuts individual label stripsfrom a roll of label web.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide a mechanismfor producing a label strip of any desired length using a cutterassembly without requiring tooling changes.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a method tovary a length of a label strip during cut off from a roll of label webby controlling the distinct speed of rotation of a stationary knife.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to establish a labelcutting cycle of varying rates of revolutions per unit time to provide adesired length of label strip.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention aredescribed with specificity so as to make the present inventionunderstandable to one of ordinary skill in the art

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale inorder to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of thesevarious elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elementsthat are known to be common and well understood to those in the industryare not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the variousembodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in formin the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a label cutter in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a label cutter shown in FIG. 1 in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a cutter assembly shown in FIG. 1 inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a rotating cutter shaft in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of at least one cutter shell of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a counterweight means of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a blade holder of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a knife wedge of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a stationary shaft of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a cutter blade of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a stationary knife of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a knife clamp of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for cutting label web utilizing acutter assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments andapplications of the present invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustrating specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand changes may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.However, any single inventive feature may not address any of theproblems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussedabove. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not befully addressed by any of the features described below. The inventionwill now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing whichdoes not limit the scope and the ambit of the invention. In thefollowing discussion that addresses a number of embodiments andapplications of the present invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustrating specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand changes may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Turning first to FIG. 1, a front view of a label cutter 100 embodyingthe concepts of the present invention. The label cutter 100 is anapparatus for cutting individual label strips from a roll of label web,the label cutter 100 comprising a cutter assembly 102, a firstservomotor 144 a and a second servomotor 144 b. The cutter assembly 102comprises a label feed roller 156 (shown in FIG. 3), a rotating cuttershaft 112 and a stationary shaft 132. The cutter assembly 102 is mountedon a casted cutter frame 110 and the label feed roller 156 (shown inFIG. 3) is rotatable within the frame 110. The rotating cutter shaft 112having a generally cylindrical shape and having a first axis (not shown)about which it rotates. The label feed roller 156 (shown in FIG. 3) ispositioned adjacent the rotating cutter shaft 112 and includes a labelguide 150 (shown in FIG. 3) between which the label web is fed. Thelabel web is further fed around the rotating cutter shaft 112 guided bythe label feed roller 156 (shown in FIG. 3). At least one cutter blade124 extends in a generally vertical relationship from the periphery ofthe rotating cutter shaft 112. The at least one cutter blade 124co-operates with a fixed blade holder 114 and is operatively associatedto the rotating cutter shaft 112 for cutting the label web. The at leastone cutter blade 124 includes an elongated, linear knife wedge 122formed thereon. A stationary knife 130 protrudes from and rotatable withthe stationary shaft 132. The stationary shaft 132 has a second axis(not shown) about which it rotates. A knife clamp 128 is mounted on thestationary shaft 132 for rotatably engaging the stationary knife 130. Acounterweight means 116 is attached to the rotating cutter shaft 112,the counterweight means 116 acting to counterbalance the tension of thelabel web in order to keep the rotating cutter shaft 112 against thelabel web. A cutter plate 126 is attached between the stationary shaft132 and casted cutter frame 110. The label cutter apparatus 100 furthercomprises a first servomotor 144 a that rotatably drives the rotatingcutter shaft 112 and a second servomotor 144 b that rotatably drives thestationary shaft 132. The first servomotor 144 a is held by a firstservo adapter 140 a that is electrically connected by a first gear box142 a. The second servomotor 144 b is held by a second servo adapter 140b that is electrically connected by a second gear box 142 b.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the label cutter 100 shown in FIG. 1embodying the concepts of the present invention. The label cutter 100cuts the individual label strips from the roll of label web beforeapplying them into a container, the label cutter 100 comprising thecutter assembly 102, the first servomotor 144 a and the secondservomotor 144 b. The cutter assembly 102 comprises the label feedroller 156 (shown in FIG. 3), the rotating cutter shaft 112 and thestationary shaft 132. The cutter assembly 102 is mounted on the castedcutter frame 110 and the label feed roller 156 (shown in FIG. 3) isrotatable in the frame 110. The rotating cutter shaft 112 has acylindrical shape and a first axis (not shown) about which it rotates.The label feed roller 156 (shown in FIG. 3) is positioned adjacent therotating cutter shaft 112 and includes the label guide 150 (shown inFIG. 3) between which the label web is fed. The label web is further fedaround the rotating cutter shaft 112 guided by the label feed roller 156(shown in FIG. 3). The cutter plate 126 is attached between thestationary shaft 132 and casted cutter frame 110. The counterweightmeans 116 is attached to the rotating cutter shaft 112, thecounterweight means 116 acting to counterbalance the tension of thelabel web in order to keep the rotating cutter shaft 112 against thelabel web. The label cutter apparatus 100 further comprises the firstservomotor 144 a that rotatably drives the rotating cutter shaft 112 anda second servomotor 144 b that rotatably drives the stationary shaft132. The first servomotor 144 a is held by the first servo adapter 140 athat is electrically connected by the first gear box 142 a. The secondservomotor 144 b is held by the second servo adapter 140 b that iselectrically connected by the second gear box 142 b.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the cutter assembly 102 that is shown inFIG. 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The cutter assembly 102 comprises the label feed roller 156,the rotating cutter shaft 112 and the stationary shaft 132. The cutterassembly 102 is mounted on the casted cutter frame 110 and the labelfeed roller 156 is rotatable in the frame 110. The rotating cutter shaft112 has a generally cylindrical shape and a first axis (not shown) aboutwhich it rotates. The label feed roller 156 is positioned adjacent therotating cutter shaft 112 and includes the label guide 150 between whichthe label web is fed. The label web is further fed around the rotatingcutter shaft 112 guided by the label feed roller 156. The at least onecutter blade 124 extends in a generally vertical relationship from theperiphery of the rotating cutter shaft 112. The at least one cutterblade 124 co-operates with the fixed blade holder 114 and may beoperatively associated to the rotating cutter shaft 112 for cutting thelabel web. The at least one cutter blade 124 includes the elongated,linear knife wedge 122 formed thereon. The stationary knife 130protrudes from and is rotatable with the stationary shaft 132. Thestationary shaft 132 includes the second axis (not shown) about which itrotates. The knife clamp 128 is mounted on the stationary shaft 132 forrotatably engaging the stationary knife 130. The counterweight means 116is attached to the rotating cutter shaft 112, the counterweight means116 acts to counterbalance the tension of the label web in order to keepthe rotating cutter shaft 112 against the label web. The cutter plate126 is attached between the stationary shaft 132 and casted cutter frame110. FIG. 4 illustrates the rotating cutter shaft 112 of the presentinvention. The rotating cutter shaft 112 has a generally cylindricalshape and the first axis about which it rotates. The at least one cutterblade 124 (shown in FIG. 1) co-operating with the fixed blade holder 114(shown in FIG. 1) may be operatively associated to the rotating cuttershaft 112 for cutting the label web. The at least one cutter blade 124(shown in FIG. 1) has an elongated, linear knife wedge 122 (shown inFIG. 1) formed thereon.

FIG. 5 illustrates the at least one cutter shell 158 of the presentinvention. The at least one cutter shell 158 is attached to the rotatingcutter shaft 112 (shown in FIG. 1). The plurality of shell-shaped cuttershell 158 are integrally formed in and attached to the rotating cuttershaft 112 (shown in FIG. 1). The plurality of cutter shells 158 hassymmetrical curved shaped shells oriented parallel to each other andalso preferably provided in end-to-end arrangement around the rotatingcutter shaft 112.

FIG. 6 illustrates the counterweight means 116 of the present invention.The counterweight means 116 is attached to the rotating cutter shaft 112(shown in FIG. 1). The counterweight means 116 counterbalances theweight of the rotating cutter shaft 112 and the associated portions ofthe rotating cutter shaft 112.

FIG. 7 illustrates the blade holder 114 of the present invention. The atleast one cutter blade 124 (shown in FIG. 1) co-operates with a fixedblade holder 114 and is able to be operatively associated to therotating cutter shaft 112 (shown in FIG. 1) for cutting the label web.And FIG. 8 illustrates the knife wedge 122 of the present invention. Theat least one cutter blade 124 includes elongated, linear knife wedge 122formed thereon.

FIG. 9 illustrates the stationary shaft 132 and FIG. 11 illustrates thestationary knife 130 of the present invention. The stationary knife 130protrudes from and is rotatable with the stationary shaft 132. Thestationary shaft 132 includes the second axis about which it rotates.

FIG. 10 illustrates the cutter plate 126 and FIG. 12 illustrates theknife clamp 128 of the present invention. The knife clamp 128 is mountedon the stationary shaft 132 (shown in FIG. 1) for engaging thestationary knife 130 as the stationary shaft 132 rotates to cut thelabel web.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart of a method for cutting the label webutilizing the cutter assembly 200. The method initiates by providing thelabel cutter assembly, the label cutter assembly comprising the rotatingcutter shaft, the stationary shaft, and the label feed roller as shownin block 202. Initially, rotating the cutter shaft on the first axis ata generally constant rotational speed as depicted in block 204. Thenconveying the label web at a label feed rate to the rotating cuttershaft by means of the label feed roller as shown in block 206. Next,attaching the label web to the rotating cutter shaft as illustrated inblock 208. Further, enabling the cutter blade to rotate with therotating cutter shaft as shown in block 210. Then, rotating thestationary shaft on the second axis under distinct speed control andallowing the stationary knife to rotate along with the stationary shaftas shown in block 212 and 214. Next, varying the rotational speed of therotating cutter shaft as well as the stationary shaft during distinctintervals of a label cutting cycle as depicted in block 216 and 218. Thelabel web is then cut by the stationary knife when the stationary knifehas a lower rotational speed during the interval in the cycle in whichthe stationary knife cuts the label web as shown in block 220. Andfinally after cutting, transferring the label strip out of the cutterassembly as shown in block 222. The method further comprisingestablishing the label cutting cycle as a 360° rotation of the rotatingcutter shaft at a single rotation of the stationary shaft, the label webis cut at a minimum label length. The length of label strip is inverselyrelated to frequency at which the cutter blade meets the stationaryknife.

This label cutter 100 can create labels of many different lengthswithout requiring varying cutter diameters. The label cutter comprisesservomotors 144 a and 144 b that independently control operativeelements of a label cutter 100 such that through such control labels ofmultiple discrete lengths may be cut. By rotating the rotating cuttershaft 112 in a first direction, and rotating the stationary shaft 132 inany direction at the same speed, the stationary knife 130 would cut 1×for every one pass of the cutter blade 124. If the stationary knife 130were to rotate in the same direction as the cutter blade 124, but at onehalf the speed, the cutter blade 124 would rotate around twice beforebeing cut, thus creating a longer label than in the first example. Ifthe stationary knife 130 rotated at ⅓rds the speed of the cutter blade124, the label could be even longer. The relative speed of the cutterblade 124 is directly related to the stationary knife 130. In otherexamples, where the cutter blade 124 means rotates 720° compared to onerotation of the stationary knife 130, the label would be cut maximumdouble length (or any length up to double). The length of the label isthus inversely related to the frequency at which the cutter blade 124and stationary knife 130. That is, the more often they meet, the shorterthe label and the less often they meet, the longer the label.

In one embodiment, the diameter of the cutter blade 124 and label feedroller 156 is 5.2″, based on its calculated circumference of 16.3362″,that in a system where the ratio of angular velocities of the two werethe same, the maximum label cut is 16.3362″ long. In the presentinvention where the cutter blade 124 rotates at double the rate ofrevolutions per unit time as the label feed roller 156, the stationaryknife 130 would only meet the label after maximum of 16.3362″×2 of labelwas fed through. The relative rates of revolutions per unit time may becontrolled and thus labels of any length may be created. Also, dependingon the number of rotations of the cutter blade 124 before cutting thelabel, any label length required may be cut. This is preferably done bycontrolling the stationary knife 130, which only cuts on demand. Bycontrolling the amount of label fed by the label feed roller 156 to therotating cutter shaft 112 and by controlling the relative speed of thecutter blade 124 and secondary knife 130 any desired label length can becut. The two rotating shafts rotate independently of each other andcould be independently controlled so either could speed up or slow down,allowing the line of labels to be cut at any desired length.

The claimed subject matter has been provided here with reference to oneor more features or embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognizeand appreciate that, despite of the detailed nature of the exemplaryembodiments provided here; changes and modifications may be applied tosaid embodiments without limiting or departing from the generallyintended scope. These and various other adaptations and combinations ofthe embodiments provided here are within the scope of the disclosedsubject matter as defined by the claims and their full set ofequivalents.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention has been presented for the purpose of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in the label cutting mechanism of the aboveteachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not belimited by this detailed description, but by the claims and theequivalents to the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of cutting a label web utilizing acutter assembly, the method comprising the steps of: a) rotating acutter shaft on a first axis; b) conveying the label web to the rotatingcutter shaft by means of a label feed roller; c) attaching the label webto the rotating cutter shaft; d) enabling a cutter blade to rotate withthe rotating cutter shaft; e) rotating a stationary shaft on a secondaxis under distinct speed control; f) allowing a stationary knife torotate along with the stationary shaft; g) cutting the label web by thestationary knife when the stationary knife meets the cutter blade duringdistinct intervals of a label cutting cycle; h) transferring a labelstrip out of the cutter assembly; whereby a first length of the labelstrip is determined by the distinct speed of rotation of the stationaryknife; and wherein the speed of rotation of the stationary shaft isvaried during distinct intervals of the label cutting cycle.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the speed of rotation of the cutter shaft iscontrolled to maintain proper tension on the label web.
 3. A method ofcutting a label web utilizing a cutter assembly, the method comprisingthe steps of: a) rotating a cutter shaft on a first axis; b) conveyingthe label web to the rotating cutter shaft by means of a label feedroller; c) attaching the label web to the rotating cutter shaft; d)enabling a cutter blade to rotate with the rotating cutter shaft; e)rotating a stationary shaft on a second axis under distinct speedcontrol; f) allowing a stationary knife to rotate along with thestationary shaft; g) cutting the label web by the stationary knife whenthe stationary knife meets the cutter blade during distinct intervals ofa label cutting cycle; h) transferring a label strip out of the cutterassembly; whereby a first length of the label strip is determined by thedistinct speed of rotation of the stationary knife; and i) wherein asecond length of the label strip is produced when the stationary shaftrotates with a speed of rotation less than the speed of rotation of therotating cutter shaft, and wherein said second length of the label stripis longer than the first length of the label strip.
 4. A method ofoperating a label cutter which cuts individual label strips from a rollof label web, the label cutter having a cutter assembly for continuouslyand independently controlling the rotational speeds of a rotating cuttershaft, a stationary shaft, and a label feed roller, the methodcomprising the steps of: a) rotating the cutter shaft on a first axis ata generally constant rotational speed; b) conveying the label web at alabel feed rate to the rotating cutter shaft by means of the label feedroller; c) attaching the label web to the rotating cutter shaft; d)enabling a cutter blade to rotate with the rotating cutter shaft; e)rotating the stationary shaft on a second axis under distinct speedcontrol; f) allowing a stationary knife to rotate along with thestationary shaft; g) varying the rotating cutter shaft rotational speedduring distinct intervals of a label cutting cycle; h) varying the speedof rotation of the stationary shaft during distinct intervals of thelabel cutting cycle with respect to the rotational speed of the rotatingcutter shaft; i) cutting the label web by the stationary knife when thestationary knife meets the cutter blade during distinct intervals of thelabel cutting cycle; and j) moving the label strip obtained aftercutting from the cutter assembly; whereby a first length of the labelstrip is controlled by the distinct speed of rotation of the stationaryknife.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the length of label strip isinversely related to frequency at which the cutter blade meets thestationary knife.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the cutter shaft isdriven by a first servo motor which is electrically connected to a firstgear box.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the stationary shaft isdriven by a second servo motor which is electrically connected to asecond gear box.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the stationary shaftrotates with a speed of rotation less than the speed of rotation of therotating cutter shaft about its second vertical axis to produce a secondlength of label strip, and wherein said second length of the label stripis longer than the first length of the label strip.